Again, Valentine’s Day!
It’s snowing heavily outside, as of this very moment. ❄️ But I’m thinking about you all around this time of the year, even though you’re not my “significant other”. 😉 Hope you like my new drawing of Albert, aka Prince on the Hill. Happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends in Candy Candy world! 💘 💗
Albert in a park
I agree with all of you that it’s disappointing that Nagita hasn’t made anything clear, not after almost ten years since the publication of CCFS. I admit I had some hopes that she would speak plainly and put an end to all this “battle” between Albert fans and Terry fans. But it seems she won’t and that’s all there is to it. The only positive thing, apart from clarifying that Albert is alive and kicking, is that she confirmed the romantic relationship between him and Candy, stressing that Albert was never a father/brother figure to her. She also said that she was relieved to be able to say that. Now if only she had clarified that earlier, there wouldn’t be all those idiotic and disgusting comments about Albert being a pedophile, or about an incestuous relationship between him and Candy. What I hated most about the fanatic Terry fans were precisely those emetic remarks that insulted a beautiful fictional character, his creator and also all of his fans. No more of that, at least.
Agree with you totally, Fay. 🤗 From now on, those people can not (should not) insist Albert regarded Candy as only a sister or his adopted daughter. It’s clearly written in CCFS already, but for some reason those readers have chosen to ignore the text and come up with their ridiculous interpretation. For example, the fact that Albert decided to reveal to Candy his nickname Little Bert, given by his beloved sister Rosemary, was used as the so-called evidence that Candy was merely a sister to him. Sometimes I can’t help doubting their ability to comprehend romantic stories.
Yeah, I found her interview disappointing too. Keiko Nagita appeared to be steering away from giving direct answers to specific and simple questions. Maybe she’s simply following her agent’s or publicist’s advice because they don’t want to alienate either the Terry or the Albert fans. I agree with you that it could also be matter of money and profit. I definitely wouldn’t rule that out because money does matter and publishers want to sell as much as possible. That said, if their attempt is to remain obscure so as to appease and appeal to all the fans, unfortunately, they’ve achieved the exact opposite as the fans are getting more and more annoyed with all the lack of clarity in CCFS. The CCFS is a poorly written novel anyway and without Igarashi’s magnificent illustrations and narrative structure, the story is flat and bland as boiled chicken served at a dodgy hospital.
See you around,
Interstellar
Beautiful artwork as always, Ms Puddle!
I haven’t managed to send a comment due to work overload and certain personal/medical matters (a family member of mine had undergone serious surgery but I’ll refrain from burdening you with the details for now).
Presumably, you’ve heard about Keiko Nagita’s interview at the Paris book fest. Even though she’s retained her silence involving the identity of “anohito”, many fans from both the pro-Terry and pro-Albert front(s) have been too “enthusiastic” to assume that she’s revealed the identity of “anohito”. However, having carefully reviewed her interview, I haven’t found any conclusive evidence that Keiko Nagita has revealed the identity of the aforesaid “anohito”. Instead, she remains (deliberately) ambiguous and vague. I think that this speaks volumes that the lady simply doesn’t want to spell out the dude’s name and perhaps we should all simply respect that.
What do you think?
Talk to you soon,
Interstellar
Hi Interstellar,
I’ve heard about Nagita’s Q&A interview and I’m honestly disappointed with her refusal to be upfront and provide clear-cut answers. What’s the point of agreeing to take part in a Q&A session but then refusing to offer straight-forward answers? As if she didn’t expect to be inundated with questions on whether anohito is Terry or Albert.. Seriously now..
I think that the author is being unfair to both the Terry and Albert fans via her ambiguity and vagueness. Apparently, she’s well aware of all the online bickering prevailing between these two main fronts of the CC fandom. By refusing to provide a straight answer regarding the identity of anohito, the author is perpetuating this online enmity between these two major fan groups. Who knows? Perhaps the author is (financially) benefiting from this online bickering as it draws further publicity. I know this may sound cynical and harsh but I’m inclined to start accepting that possibility, especially following that ludicrous interview (more like a debacle) in Paris.
TBH, I had held that author in higher regard prior to that interview. Since she had decided to answer questions about the CCFS, she should have finally revealed the name of anohito and thus put an end to all that bickering nonsense which has been infesting the CC community for such a long time.
I would also like to know your opinion on this.
Regards,
Myra
Myra, I tried to respond directly to your comment but to no avail. I’ll try again if possible.
See you around,
Interstellar
Hi Interstellar,
Got your response but it’s on the top of this page.
As for your comment about the CCFS, many people agree with you
(including me) that the original CC novel (with all the illustrations incorporated) was much better. The CCFS has too many loopholes and plot ambiguities. In my opinion, the author didn’t really seem to be in much of a mood when writing it. The manga continues to be my favourite though.
It’s such a pity that Nagita and Igarashi got into such a nasty fight which escalated to legal actions in court. The two of them had made a masterpiece but their disputes ruined everything. Igarashi was wrong for being so greedy and possessive over a story which belonged exclusively to Nagita.
Regards,
Myra
Hello Interstellar and Myra, like you both, I still like the manga the most. Without the manga, some parts of CCFS didn’t make much sense at all… as much as I treasure the correspondence between Candy and Albert in the epilogue, I still think Nagita could have done a lot more 🙄
As I said to Interstellar already, I’d have been really surprised if Nagita had revealed Anohito’s identity this time, considered that book 2 is not yet out.
Like you and/or Interstellar said, she might have been pressured or influenced by the publisher or editors. Sadly, the interview would make some fans curious to read the books themselves with detectives’ minds. If she had revealed the truth she essentially ruined the fun for some people.
Interstellar, first of all, wishing your family member a speedy recovery!
The interview was disappointing but not surprising. I’ll reply to you and Myra on another thread.
Ms Puddle, thank you for your supporting message. It was a horrendously difficult fortnight, especially with regards to awaiting the post-surgery biopsy results. Fortunately and for the time-being, the biopsy results have completely ruled out any concern for neoplasm and everything is running smoothly so far. It’s times like these when one may appreciate life and, above all, health and well-being.
Resuming to that interview-fiasco, it appears that Keiko Nagita is displaying a proclivity to marketing gambit and profit. Until that ludicrous interview, I had all the good intent to defend Nagita and eliminate any possibility that she’s acting in any opportunistic way. However, following that aforementioned interview, I no longer have much respect for her-if any at all. Nagita is being severely unfair to both the Terry-fans as well as the Albert-fans; she’s simultaneously giving false hopes to both sides of the fandom and that’s not only unfair but unethical from her part. In particular, her attitude towards the Terry-fans is condescending to say the least.
Personally, I would be fine if Terry was anohito just as I would be fine if Albert was anohito. What I don’t appreciate, however, are those cunning-foolish games Nagita is playing with her fandom. No one deserves to be treated like that. For example, renowned and highly popular authors such as J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, and George R. R. Martin, are far more upfront and honest with their readership. They’re either crystal clear in their answers or they clearly state their preference to remain silent to certain questions. Nonetheless, they’re firm in their stance and they respect their fandom by being straight-forward with them. Unfortunately, the same does not apply in the case of Keiko Nagita. Instead, she constitutes a diametrical opposite to the aforesaid authors as she continues to play hide-and-seek.
As for Keiko Nagita intending to keep the end concealed so as to avoid “spoilers”, it goes without saying that almost 100% of the CCFS readership is fully aware of the CC story and ending. I would sincerely doubt that anyone is reading the CCFS without having watched the anime and read the manga beforehand. Besides, most of her readership are comfortably within the 35-55 year old range.
My theory is that Keiko Nagita’s CCFS books are not selling too well and she’s using this “who is anohito” controversy as a a means to form a makeshift hype as the bickering among the fandom maintains some form of publicity in her favour.
Again, this theory may sound cynical but I really don’t care and I remain unapologetic about it as I find her stance utterly dishonest and disrespectful to the CC community as a whole. At the end of the day, she’s neither J.R.R. Tolkien nor Jane Austen but a writer who achieved international fame via Yumiko Igharashi’s fascinating illustrations and story-structuring.
Thanks again, Ms Puddle, and looking forward to your next post,
Interstellar
Hello Ms Puddle and Interstellar,
I’ve also watched that interview and I agree with Interstellar that it was disappointing. Many friends of mine who are Terry-fans are very disappointed too because they had expected a resolution finally but all they got were muddled words and even more ambiguity. They were initially pleased with the inclusion of Terry’s brief letter to Candy but it doesn’t mean much on its own as it hasn’t got any date or significant meaning. This letter isn’t connected to any other series of events which may unite Terry and Candy. Yet, the same doesn’t apply in Candy and Albert’s case as there’s a ‘further on’ in their relationship. But in both cases, there’s no resolution and no sheer evidence that Candy’s partner/husband in her mid-30s is any of these two men. The author has probably tried to create a detective-like novel as to ‘who is Anohito?’ but all she’s achieved achieved is writing a novel which lacks in clarity.
Mizuki/Nagita had the chance to put an end to this fight between the two fan-groups by providing answers or at least inform her readers that Anohito could be anyone and that she wanted such an obscure ending to her novel. It’s such a pity that this lack of clarity remains and I agree with Interstellar that the author has done this deliberately and most possibly as a publicity stunt. Since Mizuki/Nagita decided to do that interview, she should have provided the necessary clarifications to her novel but she made it even more obscure by nonchalantly replying to so many questions from her fans that ‘everyone is happy..’ All she really did was dodge questions and smile.
Ms Puddle, I couldn’t agree with you more that the original manga is far better. I also preferred the old novels where the story developed in a clearer way. The irony is that Mizuki/Nagita may have attempted to prove that her story can survive and thrive without Igarashi’s artwork but all she really got to prove is that without that beautiful artwork, her story is flat. I doubt her novel would have had half the international acclaim without Igarashi’s drawings. Even though she’s the legal owner of this novel, Igarashi’s drawings are what made this story so interesting and worthwhile.
Best Wishes,
Avon
Hello Avon, can’t agree with you more about how disappointing this interview was… especially I have a strong feeling most sensible readers could tell who Anohito really is by now. This interview did not achieve much other than offending the CC fandom. Sigh…
Unfortunately it was the anime version of Candy Candy that made it reach the vast audience outside Japan. As we all know the anime version put too much emphasis on Terry and added elements not in the original story. The ending was rushed and somewhat lousy. It didn’t do justice to Albert’s character. 😥
Hello Ms Puddle,
You’re right about the anime but the manga had also attained so much popularity albeit amongst a more mature audience; the anime responded to a more child/early adolescence audience, instead.
Isn’t it ironic that the anime-Terry is the one who has ‘won’ the hearts of so many fans, whereas the manga version of Terry not nearly as much? IMO, there’s a logical reason for that: the manga version of Terry is far more acerbic, aggressive and violent than the anime-Terry. The anime-Terry has been significantly ‘softened’ and many of Albert’s traits have been incorporated-if not infused-within the anime-Terry. To be specific, the anime-Terry is more sensitive, caring and compassionate, whereas the manga version of Terry is far more aloof and individualistic.
For example, the anime-Terry fought with all his might to save Candy from getting expelled from St Paul’s and he even went as far as to beg his father to help her. In the manga though, he simply left that school without leaving no other trace but a scrap of paper tossed to a profoundly saddened and shocked Candy. Furthermore, in the anime, Terry’s presence is constant and he’s always hanging around to help Candy when she needs him. This never happens in the manga, apparently. Yet, the most significant difference between the anime and the manga is the Rockstown omission. In the anime, Terry made some rudimentary effort to see Candy again in Chicago but in the manga he didn’t even lift his little finger to do so. In addition, Terry’s attraction to Susanna is far more intense in the manga than in the anime.
As for Albert, in the anime he’s limited to being a ‘father-figure’ and nothing more than that. Albert appears as some form of ‘saint’ or ‘guardian angel’ in the anime. In the manga though, Albert’s sexuality and attractiveness are both pronounced and just as intense as Terry’s sexual appeal. In the manga, Albert appears as more human with his own ‘dark’ side to battle with and against. Albert has been deliberately over-simplified in the anime, whereas in the manga he’s very complex and mysterious.
Let’s not forget that the anime was targeted for a much younger audience and the Candy-Albert affair was too controversial for most conservative societies back in the late 1970s-early 1980s when the anime was launched. That’s the reason why the anime producers decided to take those beautiful qualities from Albert and ascribe them to Terry. What’s so ironic is that, in reality, the anime-Terry fans are ‘in love’ with the manga version of Albert.
Yet, Mizuki/Nagita’s CCFS novel centres on the manga and not the anime version of Terry and Albert, respectively. Story-wise and character-wise, the CCFS bears stronger fidelity to the manga whilst it has drifted very far from the anime. This is a fact the Terry-fans need to take into consideration albeit rather unpalatable for them.
Best Wishes,
Avon
Well said Avon!! My sentiments exactly 👍👏 I honestly wish more Terry fans can understand how they have been misled by the anime producers all these years by reading the manga. Yet I was told many refused to embrace the truth. They’d rather turn a blind eye or stick to the idealised Terry they had seen in the anime.
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve gone through a difficult period of time, Interstellar! So glad to know the outcome was a relief to your family 🤗
Yes I agree with you that this interview is nothing but another marketing stunt to drive the book sales. After all, this is a new translation.
As much as I admire Igarashi’s drawings and illustrations, the story and its plot development still belong to Nagita. She had the full rights to correct or modify Igarashi’s drafts and/or ideas. Yet I must say the two talented ladies have created a masterpiece and amazing characters beloved by many. Sigh…
Thanks for your kind wishes, Ms Puddle. I appreciate your supportive words.
With regards to that silly interview, at least Keiko Nagita made it crystal clear that Albert is not “dead” as some commenter had nonsensically claimed on this forum and personal blog.
At least Keiko Nagita stated that Terry, Candy, and Albert are all happy and well in the end of the CCFS. Presumably, that means that Albert hasn’t been “killed off” by Nagita, LMAO.
Gotta love some of those ludicrous little conspiracy theories out there surrounding the CCFS..
Looking forward to your new post,
Interstellar
Glad all is well with your family, Interstellar.
I don’t think that Nagita will ever reveal who Candy’s love interest is at the end of CCFS. She needs to have an ace up her sleeve since she’s trashed her relationship and collaboration with Igarashi. No matter how much she tries to eliminate Igarashi’s influence, her illustrations will always dominate when reading CCFS. These impressions are simply indelible.
Your final comment about Nagita reminding her readers that Albert is alive and well is hilarious. Imagine some folks actually believed (or wanted to believe) that Albert isn’t with Candy cause he’s dead. Those folks have brought outlandish claims to an entirely new level.
I agree with Ms Puddle that Nagita and Igarashi had both created a masterpiece. It’s a shame and a waste that those two ended up in such a bitter legal battle. Greed tends to destroy even the strongest of friendships and collaborations.
Regards,
Myra
Thanks, Myra. You’re spot on about greed and how it messes up so many great things in life. I used to think that greed had infested Yumiko Igarashi but it turns out that Keiko Nagita isn’t exempt from it either. It takes a rare breed of a human-being to be able to withstand and repel greed and enmity. Take Care,
Interstellar
Yes, Myra, to this day I still think that it’s Igarashi’s artwork and illustrations that brought Nagita’s characters to life. No doubt I am reading CCFS with those drawings in my mind or imagination, like how Albert and Candy gazed at each other in silence, etc.
Yes, indeed very funny and nearly unbelievable they dared to raise that question. That being said I’m glad that this rumour has been annihilated once and for all!